Literary Easter Eggs in Tom Lake

By Angela Deckard and Shelby Toren, Branch Librarians

As a writer and a bookstore owner, it’s no surprise that Ann Patchett’s book Tom Lake, opens a new window is filled with literary references. We went through and compiled a list of all the literary Easter eggs found throughout the novel. If you are ready to immerse yourself in the world of Tom Lake and get inside Lara’s head, here are a few titles to get you started!

Our Town: A Play in Three Acts, opens a new window by Thornton Wilder, opens a new window

The play Our Town features prominently in Tom Lake. Ann Patchett has said that while the plot of Tom Lake evolved significantly from the original idea, the connection to Our Town was always there.

Little House on the Prairie, opens a new window by Laura Ingalls Wilder, opens a new window

Little House on the Prairie gets two honorable mentions! First, Lara’s children say that this book reminds them of their own lives because of the poor heating in their home. Later, Lara mentions that she read this book to her grandmother while they did crafts in the days before prerecorded audiobooks.

The Swiss Family Robinson, opens a new window by Johann David Wyss, opens a new window

Lara’s former boyfriend and movie star is featured in a fictional movie remake of this book called Swiss Father Robinson.

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, opens a new window by Stephen R. Covey, opens a new window

After the tragic incident with Uncle Wallace, Lara finds this book on his nightstand.

Moby Dick, opens a new window by Herman Melville, opens a new window

Moby Dick is also mentioned twice! Lara’s daughter Nell says that her soon-to-be-brother-in-law offered to lend her this book to read during the pandemic, joking that it would be over by the time she finished the book. Later, Lara names this title as another book she read to her grandmother.

Ready for more? View the complete list of books mentioned in Tom Lake here, opens a new window!

We can’t wait to welcome both Ann Patchett and Kevin Wilson to Michigan on April 24. Sign up for updates, reminders and more at kdl.org/samepage, opens a new window.